Everyone was having fun and messing around, but it was clear to everyone that it was just a joke, even though the two people involved claimed their hearts had been somewhat traumatized.
However, after such a joke, the relationship between Mu Li and the other four mentors and trainees became even more harmonious.
Don't underestimate this simple team atmosphere; it directly relates to how each trainee feels in the program, and even the mental state they display.
Although everyone said they wanted to see girl groups fighting among themselves, when these conflicts truly came to light and the girl groups started tearing each other apart, most people didn't want to watch anymore.
It's like everyone wants to see celebrity couples argue and divorce in the entertainment industry, but when they are actually about to divorce, everyone... uh... wait, people actually like to see that.
But overall, as a girl group, unity, mutual help, and friendliness are the basic qualities that most girl group fans want to see. Most parents also hope a program is positive and uplifting, and this is what Idol Project aims to show everyone.
The emotional bonds within the team are also built in a harmonious team atmosphere.
The team allows competition, but the competition must be healthy; otherwise, it will only bring devastating blows to the team.
This statement might have come from Zhang Xiaoyang's favorite business management book—"If You Can't Lead a Team, You'll Die Working" (PS: I made this up).
Thus, a weak and helpless CP sacrificed themselves to complete the entire Idol Plan 1075.
Even Tong Xue's matter was smoothly bypassed; perhaps some people will still remember the little trick she pulled during the trainee evaluation, but most people's attention will shift to Mu Li or Wang Yijia.
Regarding this, the attitudes of both Mu Li and the other four mentors were surprisingly consistent: if this incident could teach Tong Xue a lesson, that would be best, but there was no need to dwell on it.
As mentors, what they could do was let Tong Xue see the consequences of her choices. As for Tong Xue's future choices, whether she learns from her mistakes or continues to act as she pleases, that's up to her.
This world never lacks down-to-earth people, nor does it lack people who want to reach the top in one step; their choices also determine how they live.
After the first battle, there were two more battles. Although the latter two battles had more exciting performances, everyone always felt that something was missing.
At this time, everyone also began to recall the song "Like You" that Mu Li sang.
"Since Teacher Mu sang that song 'Like You,' why does the melody of that song always appear in my mind?"
"Yeah, now when I see Teacher Mu and Teacher Wang, I always feel like there's a third party between them."
"How come I've never heard that song before? Have you heard it?"
"Oh my goodness, this song has such strong staying power!"
...
As the last group of trainees finished their performance, the recording temporarily stopped, and the production team gave half an hour for a break and dinner.
Mu Li and the four mentors also gathered together, eating and chatting.
"Teacher Mu's song today was very good," Yin Nan, who usually didn't speak much, was the first to open his mouth.
"I hadn't heard that song before. Is it your original, A Li?" Xu Yunyi inquired.
Mu Li nodded.
"Do you know? Just now, I overheard the trainees discussing this song." Xu Yunyi revealed a mischievous smile, "The funniest part is, someone said that the appearance of this song made her feel like a third party appeared whenever she saw A Li and Yijia."
Fu Peiyao also couldn't help but laugh: "So I actually became the third party."
Mu Li couldn't help but roll his eyes: "You still have the nerve to say that? We've both been messed with by you guys, okay?"
Wang Yijia nodded furiously in agreement.
"It's okay, the producers will remember your sacrifices." If Xu Yunyi hadn't been smiling, his words might have had a shred of credibility.
"I didn't expect them to be so obsessed with shipping us. Sorry, sorry!" Fu Peiyao put her hands together and pouted, looking both cute and pitiful.
Facing such a face, Mu Li also found it difficult to get angry.
No choice, he could only spoil her.
After this break, only the final recording remained.
Mu Li and the four mentors will demonstrate the dance for this season's Idol Project theme song, "stubborn," to all the trainees, and the trainees will need to learn to sing and dance this song within the next three days and perform it individually.
At that time, the mentors will re-evaluate based on this song and dance performance. At the same time, the production team will also determine the standing positions and camera time for the "stubborn" theme song MV based on the trainees' performance.
Mu Li and Yin Nan rarely danced on stage, so before going on stage, they were still encouraging each other.
This song and dance performance was a combination by Mu Li and the four mentors. From the trainees' perspective, Mu Li and Yin Nan's dance level clearly dragged down the overall stage presentation; some movements were even done incorrectly or forgotten.
Fortunately, both of them had big hearts, and when mistakes occurred, they covered them up with some simple interactions and stage movements.
Only when the last move was finished did the two finally relax.
However, what they didn't know was that this was only the first part of the production team's play.
Xu Yunyi, looking like he enjoyed watching the drama unfold, directly shouted on stage: "How do you all think Teacher Mu Li and Teacher Yin Nan performed?"
The trainees immediately burst into laughter, but their mouths were loudly cheering.
Xu Yunyi suppressed his laughter and continued to host: "But don't demand too much from them; they only learned this song for half a day."
"But..." Xu Yunyi's tone shifted, "Do you know how Teacher Mu Li evaluates himself?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Li's expression suddenly changed. Immediately after, he saw a video of himself appear on the large screen in the studio.
In the video, Mu Li forcibly suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth, pretending to be nonchalant as he boasted to the other three mentors: "Brother Nan, isn't dancing that difficult? We, who have no foundation, were able to learn this much in half a day. Could we be the legendary dance geniuses?"
Immediately after, Yin Nan's eyes were filled with doubt.
And Fu Peiyao even encouraged him: "We didn't expect you to learn so quickly! These idol trainees who have undergone professional dance training, they all need three days to perform."
Then, Mu Li humbly replied: "Hah, you're exaggerating. There's still a difference between us and them. Although we've learned these moves, in terms of the aesthetic appeal and display of these movements, we're still a bit behind those professionally trained dancers."
But the uncontrollable smile at the corner of his mouth betrayed him: "This is mainly because we only practiced for half a day. If we were also given three days, Brother Nan and I are confident we wouldn't lose to them."
Then, the camera directly shifted to Yin Nan, whose previously somewhat confused eyes became very clear and confident.
At this moment, two people died of embarrassment on the spot.
However, what they didn't expect was that this matter wasn't over yet.
Xu Yunyi laughed: "Since our two teachers are so confident, then we'll tell you some news as well. Of course, this matter also concerns everyone present."
Xu Yunyi's tone changed, and the smile on his face faded: "You probably don't think the dance just now was too simple, right? In reality, that was just a simplified version of the dance adapted to accommodate the two mentors. So next, our remaining three mentors will show you the correct way to perform this song."
With that said, Fu Peiyao and Wang Yijia took the stage again.
The moment the music started, Mu Li and Yin Nan couldn't help but exchange glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.
They had no idea that the production team had pulled such a trick on them.
Mu Li immediately wanted to ask the production team: "Who are you looking down on?"
But after Mu Li had just watched the dance for the verse, Mu Li had to admit: "Sorry, I spoke a bit too loudly just now."
Compared to their previous song and dance stage, the difficulty of the dance presented by the three mentors had increased by an unknown number of levels.
Simply put, after Mu Li watched it once, he didn't even understand their stage positioning, let alone the movements of their hands and feet.
If he were asked to dance according to this version, Mu Li would probably go on strike on the spot.
After watching the entire song performance, only shock remained in their hearts.
Xu Yunyi hadn't even caught his breath before he continued hosting: "Teacher Mu, do you have anything else you'd like to say now?"
Mu Li nodded, looking honest: "I just want to say, thank you to the three teachers for the dance demonstration, and also thank the production team for such a humanized design, which allowed Teacher Yin Nan and me to retain our last shred of dignity."
Yin Nan deeply agreed with Mu Li's words.
After the dance demonstration, the first recording of Idol Project was finally over.
The remaining content had nothing to do with Mu Li.
However, after this episode's recording, Mu Li definitely had plenty of screen time, to say the least.
After all, which artist gets messed with from the beginning of the recording until the very end of the show?
Which embarrassing moment could Mu Li be absent from?
After the recording ended, Mu Li hitched a ride back with Fu Peiyao in her nanny van.
The two also discussed some things to pay attention to during recording in the car.
"But, all in all, your performance today was very good, not at all like a newcomer," Fu Peiyao did not stingy her praise.
Mu Li also understood that where he did better than other newcomers was that he was relaxed enough, which stemmed from having enough confidence.
"Once the show airs, your popularity will definitely rise. I estimate the production team will invite you back for a public performance at some point, so you'd best prepare in advance," Fu Peiyao reminded him.
"Me, participate in a public performance? Are you that sure?" Mu Li was a bit incredulous. Usually, those who could participate in such public performances were either popular actors or singers at the moment, or at least seniors from previous Idol Project groups. He didn't fit any of these three points right now.
Fu Peiyao nodded: "Don't underestimate yourself. Once this show is produced relatively quickly, it should be able to air in a week. At that time, with 'I Live Alone,' 'Wu Ha,' and '《Good Life》 (Wonderful Life)' all airing simultaneously, you won't have to worry about your popularity at all."
Mu Li was startled: he hadn't realized he had accumulated so many shows without knowing it.
"Your agent should also be having you prepare an album," Fu Peiyao inquired.
Mu Li nodded.
"Then stay home obediently and prepare your album recently, don't run around!" Fu Peiyao was originally admonishing Mu Li, but then she quietly said, "I'll also be staying in Magic City for a while recently."
Mu Li's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly: "Then shall I find you tomorrow morning to take a walk together? And then have breakfast together?"
The corner of Fu Peiyao's mouth showed a smile: "Mm."
Soon, the two arrived at their destination. As Mu Li said goodbye and was about to leave, Fu Peiyao suddenly called out to Mu Li: "Oh, and that song you sang today... I really like it..."
Mu Li also inadvertently smiled: "Really? I like it a lot too."
I also like this song very much, but I like you more.